Our favourite dog-friendly hotels in the Cotswolds

The Rectory Hotel, Malmesbury 

This Georgian rectory dates to 1780 and sits in two acres of English gardens. There’s a sitting room with a roaring fire, then a restaurant that starts in a panelled dining room and flows into a conservatory, where doors open onto the garden for breakfast on the lawn in summer. Rooms above are just as good, perhaps a claw-foot bath in your room or ceilings open to the rafters. Back downstairs, a bar opens onto the garden for Pimm’s in the sun; keep going and find sunbeds circling the swimming pool.  

You’re surrounded by vast open fields, so spend your days taking the dog cross country and down charming little lanes to find West Crudwell, Chedglow or Murcott – neighbouring hamlets. Glorious food rounds off your day. 

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The Fish Hotel, Broadway 

Like summer camp, only for adults. Pretty buildings scattered about on the hill, with claw-foot baths in the room, huge beds, maybe a sofa or a wood-burner, too. There’s a games room for pool and table football and 400 acres of countryside to explore from the door. Deer roam the hill, there’s a nature trail and maps for joggers. Dogs will love the agility course onsite just for them, as well as the many tracks to sniff and explore.  

As for the food, you can eat in the bar, the restaurant, or out on the terrace in good weather. Unsurprisingly, fish is definitely on the menu at Hook, the onsite restaurant, though the kitchen offers a broad range – pizza and small bites at the bar, Sunday lunch, private dining and an outdoor dining experience paired with adventure pursuits!  

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Widbrook Grange, Bradford-on-Avon 

With 165 craft gins, 14 tonics, largely locally sourced food with herbs from the garden and a sophisticated menu – Widbrook Grange serves farmhouse cuisine with a gastro twist. Expect game on the menu, a selection of fish, but also the unexpected – a celery sorbet or pistachio galantine. But there’s still afternoon tea for something lighter. 

In 11 acres of grounds, close to Bath and Bradford-on-Avon. You’ll find the staff a delight and their welcome extends to families and dogs: note the dog baskets and the rabbit-rich grounds.  

Stroll down to the canal and walk along the tow path, or hire a narrow boat for the day. Stay put and use the gym and indoor heated pool, book a massage and treatment, have afternoon tea. 

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Wild Thyme & Honey, Ampney Crucis 

Deeply comfy bedrooms overlook a babbling brook. Each has a wetroom, many have standalone tubs. The apartment has its own terrace with hot tub and sauna, a downstairs suite is accessible, some interconnect for families. 

Start your day with a juice shot, freshly baked pastry, and locally sourced cooked breakfast. You eat in their sister pub, The Crown, across the smart courtyard. Food follows a farm-to-table philosophy, and everything is seasonal. 

Borrow some Hunters or a brolly and hop on the Thames Path; visit National Trust properties: Bibury, Lodge Park and Chedworth Roman Villa are nearby. Stretch your dog’s legs on the many walks nearby and come back in time for an a la carte menu to die for.  

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The Lygon Arms Hotel, Broadway 

There’s much to do in a huge choice of drawing rooms and good food and drinks are served in several different areas, all lively and bustling. Children can play in three acres of garden and swim in the pool at certain times, while you wind down in the spa. There’s even a warm outdoor hose for dogs and wellies. 

Walk to Broadway Tower in half an hour or take a stroll along many of the local paths criss-crossing the countryside. Return for drinks in the atmospheric bar then dinner in the Russell Room – dogs welcome too – where simple food is made well and roughly 80% sourced from local artisans within a 60-mile radius.  

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